Union Hidalgo vs EDF Group

Case overview

On 8 February 2018, representatives from the Zapotec community of Union Hidalgo in Oaxaca, Mexico filed a complaint with the French NCP against Electricity of France (EDF Group) for breaching the OECD Guidelines. The complainants allege that EDF Group and its subsidiary in Mexico, Eolica de Oaxaca, S.A.P.I de C.V., have violated the indigenous community of Union Hidalgo’s right to free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), amongst other human rights, with the possible construction of the Gunaa Sicaru wind farm on their land, which would be the fourth wind park of EDF in Mexico. In the complainants’ press release on 12 February, they express concern over the critical voices regarding the French NCP’s state of ineffectiveness and express hope that the NCP operates in accordance to the OECD Guidelines and resolves the case in an impartial, equitable, accessible, transparent and participatory manner. The complainants are asking the NCP to offer mediation to discuss the human rights violations and ensure that EDF acts in compliance with the OECD Guidelines and with its responsibility to ensure dialogue with the community.